Hands-free article holder and method

ABSTRACT

A chest-mounted assembly for holding an article, the assembly comprising a chest plate, a plurality of indexing supports situated on the chest plate, an indexing bar pivotally connected to the chest plate by a pivot bar and supported by at least one of the plurality of indexing supports, and an article mount positioned on the indexing bar. A method for a user to adjust the height level of a hands-free supported article, the method comprising the steps of mounting a chest plate on the user, the chest plate having a pivot support and a plurality of indexing supports situated thereon, attaching the article to an article mount, the article mount being connected to the pivot support, positioning the article at a desired height with respect to the user, and selecting one of the indexing supports to thereby fix the article and the article mount at a desired height position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an article holder, and morespecifically, to a chest-mounted hands-free article holder that quicklyand easily adjusts the height of an article to a wearer's eye-level.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Handheld optical instruments such as spotting scopes, binoculars,cameras, and video cameras are important tools which are commonly usedby hunters, bird watchers, astronomers, military personnel, spectatorsat sporting events and dramatic or musical productions, and many otherpeople, including both amateurs and professionals. Such opticalinstruments greatly enhance the user's optical perception by providingmagnified and brighter images of an activity or subject under study anddepending upon the device, also allow the recordation of the subjectonto a tangible medium.

[0005] A significant problem in the use of such instruments is thedifficulty of holding them still enough, aggravated by fatigue to auser's arms and hands in protracted usage. In addition to taxing one'sarms, an unsteady recordation instrument will yield distorted images.Furthermore, at least one hand, if not both hands, are required to graspand operate the optical instrument. Presently, it is not possible for auser to simultaneously and efficiently engage in other activitiesrequiring the use of one or both hands while also using an opticalinstrument such as a spotting scope. For example, a hunter may wish touse a spotting scope to detect prey, while holding a rifle at the sametime.

[0006] To overcome these problems, various chest-mounted hands-freedevices supporting a variety of instruments and articles have heretobeen developed. These devices are meant to be worn against the user'sbody and are usually secured by some sort of strap. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 3,661,308 to Walters discloses a camera and binocular chestsupport frame able to adjust the height of such articles by acollapsible post, U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,536 to Wong discloses achest-mounted personal binocular support, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,576 toEaster discloses a chest-mounted front pack assembly having a tripodwith a camera attached thereto.

[0007] Although the aforementioned prior art can support variousinstruments and articles, the prior art has certain specific drawbacks.One such drawback is the limited adjustability that can be made to thechest-mounted hands-free device. This results in the article not beingoptimally positioned near the user's eyes, thereby requiring the user touncomfortably strain to utilize the article. Similarly, limitedadjustability prevents moving the article to an unobstructed positionwhen the user is wearing the chest-mounted hands-free device yet is notutilizing the article attached thereon. Another drawback of the priorart involves the inability to quickly adjust the article from a use to anon-use position. Specifically, this drawback becomes a concern inactivities where time is of the essence. One such relevant activity ishunting, where the user would want to quickly lower the spotting scope,while immediately thereafter raising, positioning, and firing the rifle.Finally, some of the prior art is of less than sturdy construction andis therefore not well-suited for use in rugged conditions.

[0008] Accordingly, what is needed and has not heretofore been developedis a sturdy, yet not bulky, user chest-mounted hands-free articleholder, configured to support a variety of articles whose heightposition relative to the user's eyes may be fully and quickly adjusted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides, in the preferred embodiment, achest-mounted hands-free article holder comprising a chest plate, aplurality of indexing supports situated on the chest plate, an indexingbar pivotally connected to the chest plate by a pivot bar and supportedby at least one of the plurality of indexing supports, at least onepivot support for securing the pivot bar to the chest plate, and a torsoand neck strap removably attached to the chest plate for securing thechest-mounted hands-free article holder to a user. The indexing barcomprises an article mount and a pivot joint situated near a firstdistal end of the indexing bar and a pin and a handle situated near asecond distal end of the indexing bar. The pivot joint pivotallysupports the pivot bar and the pin is supported by at least one of theplurality of indexing supports. The article mount removably supports avariety of articles, including, but not limited to a spotting scope,binoculars, a camera, and a video camera. Optionally, a pivotableuniversal screw mount may be attached to the article mount to supportarticles having a threadable connection. The handle is used to move theindexing bar between the plurality of indexing supports, thereby raisingand lowering the article. Additionally, the at least one pivot supportincludes a plurality of height adjustment holes for adjustablypositioning the pivot bar.

[0010] The present invention also provides a method for the user toadjust the height level of a hands-free supported article. The methodcomprising the steps of mounting the chest plate on the user, the chestplate including the pivot support and a plurality of indexing supportssituated thereon, attaching the article to the article mount, thearticle mount being connected to the pivot support, positioning thearticle at a desired height with respect to the user; and selecting oneof the indexing supports to thereby fix the article and the articlemount at a desired height position.

[0011] The present invention may be used by a variety of people invaried settings, including, but not limited to hunters, bird watchers,astronomers, military personnel, spectators at sporting events anddramatic or musical productions, handicapped and disabled people, andmany other people, including both amateurs and professionals.

[0012] By employing many adjustable components such as the universalscrew mount, the indexing supports, and the height adjustment holes, thepresent invention allows the article to be optimally positioned near theuser's eyes, thereby maximizing comfort and minimizing any strain forthe user. The present invention also allows the user to quickly move thearticle from a use to an unobstructed non-use position and vice versa.The sturdy construction of the present invention makes it well-suitedfor use in rugged conditions. The present invention may also be adaptedto hold a book by attaching a shelf to the article mount.

[0013] The foregoing and other features of the method and apparatus ofthe present invention will be further apparent from the descriptionwhich follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hands-free article holderaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a front view of the hands-free article holder shown inFIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the hands-free article holder shown inFIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 4a is a perspective and side view of a first alternativeembodiment of a plurality of indexing supports; and

[0018]FIG. 4b is a perspective and side view of a second alternativeembodiment of a plurality of indexing supports.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the spatial ordirectional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “lower”, “upper”, “left”,“right”, “up”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereofshall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures.However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume variousalternative variations, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific apparatusillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, is simply an exemplary embodiment of the invention.Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related tothe embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

[0020] The component parts of the present invention may be constructedfrom materials including, but not limited to plastic, nylon, aluminum,steel, and wood, with the components being joined by various means,including, but not limited to tension engaging, hinging, socketing,wedging, welding, bolting, threaded engagement, and gluing.

[0021] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows ahands-free article holder 10 according to the present invention. In thepreferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the hands-free article holder10 includes a chest plate 12 with indexing supports 14 and one or morepivot supports 16 a, 16 b attached thereon. The chest plate 12 may be ofvarious dimensions, but is sufficient in size and shape to accommodatethe components of the hands-free article holder 10 while allowing thechest plate 12 to rest against the chest of a user 18. The chest plate12 is preferably secured to the user's chest by adjustable straps, atorso strap 20 and a neck strap 22, both of which are attached to thechest plate 12. The torso strap 10 is of a sufficient length to encirclethe torso of the user 18. The neck strap 22 may be placed around theback of the neck of the user 18. Alternatively, instead of a neck strap22, two shoulder straps may be routed over the shoulders of the user 18and then connected to the torso strap 20 at the back of the user 18. Itis to be understood that the torso strap 20 and the neck strap 22 may beadjustable to accommodate various users.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, the indexing supports 14 are preferablysituated within a same vertical plane as the pivot supports 16 a, 16 byet the indexing supports 14 are situated below the pivot supports 16 a,16 b. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and with continuing reference toFIG. 1, the indexing supports 14 may include, but are not limited toholes, notched grooves, edges, or steps, either incorporated within thechest plate 12 or directly attached to the chest plate 12. For example,in the preferred embodiment, the indexing supports 14 comprise indexingholes 24 situated within a hollow bar 26 that is directly attached tothe chest plate 12. These indexing holes 24 are incrementally spaced andin-line with each other.

[0023] One or more pivot supports 16 a, 16 b may also be incorporatedwithin the chest plate 12 or be directly attached to the chest plate 12.The present invention includes a first pivot support 16 a and a secondpivot support 16 b able to pivotally support a pivot bar 28 therein. Inthe preferred embodiment, the pivot bar 28 is of a tube or rod-likeconstruction having a modified V-shape. The pivot bar 28 comprises afirst pivot arm 30 a and a second pivot arm 30 b, with the free end ofeach pivot arm 30 a, 30 b preferably having a slightly bent portion 32a, 32 b. The intersection of the first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 bcomprises a straight portion 34 that is relatively parallel to the bentportion 32 a, 32 b of each pivot arm 30 a, 30 b. In relation to eachother, the first and second pivot supports 16 a, 16 b are situated at adistance that is less than the distance between the free end of thefirst pivot arm 30 a and the free end of the second pivot arm 30 b.Furthermore, the first and second pivot supports 16 a, 16 b eachcomprise incrementally spaced height adjustment holes 36, with eachheight adjustment hole 36 of the first pivot support-16 a having arelatively parallel corresponding height adjustment hole 36 on thesecond pivot support 16 b. The diameter of each height adjustment hole36 is larger than the diameter of the bent portion 32 a, 32 b of eachpivot arm 30 a, 30 b. The first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b may besqueezed together, thereby bringing the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30 b closer to each other within the same plane. The reduction in thedistance between the first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b, allows thebent portion 32 a of the first pivot arm 30 a to be inserted into aheight adjustment hole 36 of the first pivot support 16 a and the bentportion 32 b of the second pivot arm 30 b to be inserted into acorresponding height adjustment hole 36 of the second pivot support 16b. Upon release of the first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b, the pivotbar 28 is tensionally and pivotally attached to the first and secondpivot supports 16 a, 16 b. It is to be understood that the presentinvention may also operate by utilizing a single pivot support with apivot bar comprised of a single pivot arm. Although this may achieve thesame overall effect of having a pivotal connection, the tension andstability of the pivotal connection may not be as effective.Furthermore, it is to be understood that other pivot supports,including, but not limited to hinges, snaps, and sockets, may also beutilized to secure the first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b to thechest plate and to provide a pivot motion.

[0024] The hands-free article holder 10 further includes an indexing bar38. In the preferred embodiment, the indexing bar 38 comprises a pivotjoint 40, an article mount 42, a pin 44, and a handle 46. The pivotjoint 40 and the article mount 42 are situated near a first distal end48 a of the indexing bar 38. The pin 44 and the handle 46 are situatednear the second distal end 48 b of the indexing bar 38.

[0025] The pivot joint 40 is preferably tubular in construction with aninterior diameter large enough to pivotally accommodate the straightportion 34 of the pivot bar 28 therein. The straight portion 34 of thepivot bar 28 is journaled within the pivot joint 40, thereby allowingthe first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b to pivot in relation to thefirst distal end 48 a of the indexing bar 38.

[0026] The article mount 42 allows an article, such as a spotting scope50 illustrated in FIG. 1, binoculars, a camera, or a video camera to bemounted thereon by various means, including, but not limited toclamping, screwing, and gluing. However, in the preferred embodiment,the article mount 42 may have a universal screw mount 52 attachedthereon. Articles may be mounted upon a threaded base 54 of theuniversal screw mount 52 if these articles include a threadedconnection. The universal screw mount 52 provides additionalmulti-directional pivotal movement to the mounted article 50. Byproviding a threaded connection for each article 50, the universal screwmount 52 allows the user 18 to quickly exchange one article 50 foranother article 50. Furthermore, the universal screw mount 52 mayinclude an adjustment handle 47 that aids the user 18 in moving themounted article 50 with precision.

[0027] The pin 44 is smaller in diameter than the indexing holes 24 ofthe hollow bar 26. Preferably, the pin 44 extends from or is affixed tothe indexing bar 38 at an angle that allows the pin 44 to be insertedinto any of the indexing holes 24. Similar to the pin 44, the handle 46also extends from or is affixed to the indexing bar 38 at an angle. Thehandle 46 is long enough for the user 18 to firmly grasp the handle 46and thereby move the indexing bar 38 in an up and down direction. It isto be understood that in an alternative embodiment, the second distalend 48 b of the indexing bar 38 can be extended to serve the function ofthe pin 44, thereby not requiring the pin 44.

[0028]FIGS. 4a and 4 b depict a first alternative embodiment of aplurality of indexing supports 56 and a second alternative embodiment ofa plurality of indexing supports 58, respectively. These alternativeembodiments provide additional ways of supporting the pin 44. Forexample, the first alternative embodiment of a plurality of indexingsupports 56 comprises a step-like structure 60, whereas the secondalternative embodiment of a plurality of indexing supports 58 comprisesa slidable block 62 frictionally engaged between the chest plate 12 anda housing 64. It is to be understood that there are additional ways ofsupporting the pin 44, including, but not limited to, notched groovesand ratchet teeth.

[0029] Preferably, the indexing bar 38 and the first and second pivotarms 30 a, 30 b are long enough so that when the pin 44 is inserted intoany one of the indexing holes 24 and the first and second pivot arms 30a, 30 b are inserted into the first and second pivot supports 16 a, 16b, that the article 50 attached to the article mount 42 avoids contactwith chest plate 12. This configuration should occur regardless of whichcombination of indexing holes 24 and height adjustment holes 36 areutilized.

[0030] The hands-free article holder 10 may be used by a variety ofusers in varied settings, including, but not limited to hunters, birdwatchers, astronomers, military personnel, spectators at sporting eventsand dramatic or musical productions, handicapped and disabled people,and many other people, including both amateurs and professionals. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 1, the user 18, a hunter, places thechest plate 12 against his chest. The user 18 then places and adjuststhe neck strap 22 around his neck and secures and adjusts the torsostrap 20 around his torso. The user 18 then selects the article 50 whichhe wants to have mounted to the hands-free article holder 10. The user18 may attach the article 50 either directly to the article mount 42 orto the universal screw mount 52 if the article 50 has a threadedconnection. In this instance, the hands-free article holder 10 depictedin FIG. 1 illustrates a spotting scope 50 threadingly engaged to thethreaded base 54 of the universal screw mount 52. The user 18 thenselects the appropriate height adjustment holes 36 based upon the heightat which they want to have the spotting scope 50 positioned. Selectingthe highest height adjustment hole 36 will allow the spotting scope 50to be positioned at the greatest height in relation to the user 18,whereas the lowest height adjustment hole 36 will provide the lowestheight of the spotting scope 50 in relation to the user 18. The user 18then squeezes the first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b together andinserts the bent portion 32 a of the first pivot arm 30 a into theselected height adjustment hole 36 of the first pivot support 16 a andthe bent portion 32 b of the second pivot arm 30 b into thecorresponding height adjustment hole 36 of the second pivot support 16b. The user 18 then grasps the handle 46 and vertically moves theindexing bar 38 to a position that provides the user 18 with an optimalheight at which he may comfortably see through the spotting scope 50.The user 18 now inserts the pin 44 into a corresponding indexing hole24, securing the pin 44 therein, and allowing the spotting scope 50 tomaintain the optimal height in relation to the user 18.

[0031] Fine adjustments may be made to the position of the spottingscope 50 by way of the adjustment handle 47 of the universal screw mount52. The universal screw mount 52 may have a ball and socket design, soas to provide a myriad of movements to the spotting scope 50, including,but not limited to side-to-side, pan, and tilt. Additionally, the user18 may use the adjustment handle 47 to move the spotting scope 50 withprecision, so as to follow prey when the user 18 himself is required tomaintain a relatively immobile position. At this point, the hands-freearticle holder 10 supports the spotting scope 50, thus allowing the user18 to simultaneously hold a rifle while utilizing the spotting scope 50.If the user 18 wishes to position the rifle into a firing position, theuser 18 simply grasps the handle 46 of the indexing bar 38 and outwardlypushes the handle 46 until the pin 44 is removed from the indexing hole24. The user 18 then moves the handle 46 downward to allow the spottingscope 50 to be lowered to an unobstructed position. The user 18 may thenfully utilize the rifle, and thereafter is able to quickly position thespotting scope 50 to the exact optimal position as before, simply bygrasping the handle 46 and inserting the pin 44 into the previously usedindexing hole 24. It is to be understood that use of the hands-freearticle holder 10 by a different user or use of a different article, mayrequire that user to readjust the setting or position of the indexingbar 38, the first and second pivot arms 30 a, 30 b, and the universalscrew mount 52, so as to optimally position the article for that user.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention may also be adapted to hold abook by attaching a shelf to the article mount.

[0033] The above invention has been described with reference to thepreferred and alternative embodiments. Obvious modifications,combinations, and alterations will occur to others upon reading thepreceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention beconstrued as including all such modifications, combinations, andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claimsor the equivalents thereof.

I claim:
 1. A chest-mounted assembly for holding an article, theassembly comprising: a chest plate; a plurality of indexing supportssituated on the chest plate; an indexing bar pivotally connected to thechest plate by a pivot bar and supported by at least one of theplurality of indexing supports; and an article mount positioned on afirst distal end of the indexing bar.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the chest plate comprises: at least one pivot support forsecuring the pivot bar to the chest plate; and at least one strapremovably attached to the chest plate.
 3. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the indexing bar comprises at least one of the following: apivot joint situated near the first distal end of the indexing bar; apin situated near a second distal end of the indexing bar; and a handlesituated near the second distal end of the indexing bar.
 4. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the indexing supports are selected from the groupconsisting of holes, a step-like structure, a slidable block, notchedgrooves, and ratchet teeth.
 5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein thepivot bar comprises a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm.
 6. Theassembly of claim 5, further comprising a second pivot support.
 7. Theassembly of claim 6, wherein the first pivot arm is removably secured tothe first pivot support and the second pivot arm is removably secured tothe second pivot support.
 8. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the atleast one strap is one of a torso strap and a neck strap.
 9. Theassembly of claim 3, wherein the article mount removably supports one ofa spotting scope, binoculars, a camera, and a video camera.
 10. Theassembly of claim 9, wherein a universal screw mount is attached to thearticle mount.
 11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the pivot jointpivotally supports the pivot bar.
 12. The assembly of claim 3, whereinthe pin is supported by at least one of the plurality of indexingsupports.
 13. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the handle is used tomove the indexing bar between the plurality of indexing supports.
 14. Amethod for a user to adjust the height level of a hands-free supportedarticle, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a chest plate onthe user, the chest plate having a pivot support and a plurality ofindexing supports situated thereon; attaching the article to an articlemount, the article mount being connected to the pivot support;positioning the article at a desired height with respect to the user;and selecting one of the indexing supports to thereby fix the articleand the article mount at a desired height position.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the steps of selecting an indexing support comprisesgrasping a handle on an indexing bar, the indexing bar being connectedwith the article mount, and raising or lowering the handle.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the indexing bar further comprises a pinsituated on the indexing bar, wherein the handle is used to move theindexing bar and the pin is inserted into at least one of the pluralityof indexing supports.
 17. The method of claim 14, further including thestep of pivoting the article with respect to the article mount, afterthe desired height position is selected.